Stamps’ defensive tackle ready to face demons at BC Place
If Micah Johnson decided he wanted to skip this weekend’s trip to Vancouver, you could hardly blame him.
The ugly memories of his last game there are still fresh, even if it was two years ago.
In the finale of the 2013 season, the Calgary Stampeders defensive lineman was a rising star, putting together a great season with a team already secured of first spot in the West Division.
It was a nothing game, but disaster struck. A torn ACL. Suddenly out for the playoffs, Johnson also faced a long rehab process throughout the offseason.
The Stamps proceeded to lose the West final to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and the following year, the 27- year- old returned to action, only to suffer the same injury again, putting him out for the season in August.
This year, he focused on a calculated comeback, making sure he was completely ready and then built strength as he went along.
Once again, the defensive tackle is one of the most important players on the defensive side of the ball, and again a rising star. He will go to Vancouver to face the B. C. Lions this Saturday, and if all goes well he erases the memory of where his knee troubles all started.
“It can’t be any more of a reminder because it’s the exact same setup and everything,” Johnson said. “I say my prayer before every game and I go out there and give it 100 per cent, let the chips fall where they may.
“That’s why I play so aggressively, because I don’t have any second thoughts when I’m out there.
“When the ball is snapped, I won’t be able to think about that. I definitely think it will be an eerie feeling before it. When we get going it will be good.”
Last Saturday, Johnson picked up a sack for the third straight game, helping the Stamps knock off the Saskatchewan Roughriders 42- 19. What’s just as impressive is that he’s suited up in every game since making his season debut on Aug. 15 — the longest run he’s made in the CFL.
He’s become an anchor for the Stamps defence, helping them create an outside pass rush by drawing double teams while also being a wall in the middle.
“He’s being very disruptive in the run game and pass game,” Stamps GM- head coach John Hufnagel said. “He had another excellent game ( on Saturday).”
“He’s been battling the ACL issues, but when he’s been on the field he’s been productive. He’s getting more and more confident each and every game. I like where he’s at right now. We need to keep him healthy and keep him playing in that type of manner.”
When Johnson came to the Stamps from the NFL, they converted him to a defensive tackle. The 6- foot- 2, 272- pounder was a linebacker down south, so not only has he fought through injuries — two years of rehab basically — but he’s adjusted to a new spot and excelled.
“It’s still a growth thing,” defensive line coach DeVone Claybrooks said. “He’s playing lights out and taking the coaching. He’s a heck of an athlete so he helps us do a lot of things schematically.
“It’s a huge insurance policy, where teams have to know where he is and game plan around him. It gives you a lot of leeway as a coach.”
In just 11 games, Johnson has put up some quality numbers for a defensive tackle. His 32 defensive tackles place him eighth on the team, his six sacks have him third and four pass knock- downs put him in a tie for fourth.
Considering he came off a second major injury and is still relatively new at his position, it’s adding up greatly for the Stampeders. The focus is just on keeping it going long- term.
“Every game it gets better for me,” Johnson said. “Every week, it seems like I learn something new. I’m learning more and more and that’s why I’m so excited about the position.
“I don’t feel like I’ve tapped into everything yet because sometimes I get into a blind fury mode because I haven’t had as many reps at it. There’s a lot of traffic there.
“Coach ( Rich Stubler) and Claybrooks have given me a bit more freedom to move around. It’s been working out great.”